Report on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities and Project Dive

Section 4 - Dive FatalitiesFigure 4.3-5 shows the dive platform from which the fatal divesbegan. Fifty percent began from a charter or private vessel, which isconsistent with previous reports. The differences in absolute numbersof fatalities for various platforms probably reflect differentnumbers of participating divers. We do not have denominators forincidence rates.In shore diving, entry and exit may sometimes expose divers to longswims against waves and current and small groups may operatewithout surface support. Beginner divers are more likely to dive offthe beach. In contrast to liveaboard diving, diving from privateboats is often done by a single diver or a small group of divers withoutany formal organization.Figure 4.3-5Dive platform.Figure 4.3-6 shows the type of thermal protection worn by diverswho died. The majority used a wetsuit. Drysuits were used in 22percent, swimsuits in 6 percent and dive skins in 4 percent.Figure 4.3-6Thermal protectionworn by diverswho died.DAN’s <strong>Report</strong> on Decompression Illness, Diving Fatalities and Project Dive Exploration: 2005 Edition 75